Asia’s biggest Pride takes place as tens of thousands march in Taipei

The biggest Pride parade in Asia has taken place in Taiwan today.

Tens of thousands marched in the capital city of Taipei, to mark the country’s 13th annual Taiwan LGBT Pride.

A participant displays a poster that reads "everyone has the right for love" during the annual gay parade in Taipei on October 31, 2015.  Tens of thousands of people marched in Taiwan at Asia's largest gay parade to urge support for a controversial bill on same-sex marriage under screening in parliament.   AFP PHOTO / Sam Yeh        (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Nearly 80,000 supporters waved flags and placards, including some calling for marriage equality in downtown Taipei.

Participants display placards during the annual gay parade in Taipei on October 31, 2015.  Tens of thousands of people marched in Taiwan at Asia's largest gay parade to urge support for a controversial bill on same-sex marriage under screening in parliament.   AFP PHOTO / Sam Yeh        (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Despite being fairly progressive on LGBT issues, Taiwan has not yet legalised same-sex marriage.

A bill to do so has been stalled in the country’s parliament since 2013, when it was first proposed.

“There’s been huge changes in the society in recent years with a lot of grassroot efforts pushing for equality,” said Jennifer Lu, an out gay candidate for the Social Democratic Party for the 2016 election.

“But the government hasn’t kept pace. That’s why I want to run,” she told the AFP.

Participants display a huge rainbow flag during the annual gay parade in Taipei on October 31, 2015.  Tens of thousands of people marched in Taiwan at Asia's largest gay parade to urge support for a controversial bill on same-sex marriage under screening in parliament.   AFP PHOTO / Sam Yeh        (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

The favourite to become the next president of Taiwain, Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party, is supportive of same-sex marriage.

In a Facebook video shared today, she said: “Everyone is equal before love.”

Several events including an LGBT film festival are taking place this year.

 

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